NEW WSL CHIEF IS PUT ON HOLD

THE FA have delayed plans to appoint a chief executive to run the Women’s Super League in an indication of the difficulties the governing body may face in building on England’s Euro 2022 win. The appointment of a chief executive with a brief to set up a new company to run the WSL from the 2023-24 has been in the pipeline for some time but has stalled due to clubs demanding more consultation and the original timetable of advertising the post on the back of Euro 2022 has slipped. The WSL has been run by a seven-strong board, chaired by former Channel 5 chief executive Dawn Airey, in conjunction with the FA since 2019 but there is recognition at Wembley that they need greater commercial acumen to grow the women’s game.

The new chief executive will report to the existing WSL board and be given the task of setting up an independent company to run the league from the 2023-24 season onwards, although that target may also be delayed.